Brendon McCullum's debut as
Kolkata Knight Riders captain got off to the worst possible start in
Indian Premier League Season 2 - DLF IPL 2009, first match as his batsmen came undone on a pitch that offered the bowlers some assistance.Electing to bat, Kolkata were made to rue their decision very early as captain McCullum was caught down the leg side off Singh for 1 as early as the second over of the innings.
Chris Gayle got Kolkata's first boundary and his first runs after facing 12 deliveries when he hit Singh through the off-side in the fourth over followed by a huge six over midwicket. But Singh has his revenge off the very next delivery as Gayle tried a similar shot but got a leading edge which was caught by Harmeet Singh at long off for 10. 21 year old Punjab fast bowler Harmeet then ended
Sourav Ganguly's misery when he got him caught behind for 1, that took him 12 deliveries.
West Indies pacer Fidel Edwards was virtually unplayable in his first spell as he resorted to fast short deliveries directed at the batsmen's body. His first spell of three overs went for just three overs and included a maiden.
The first ten overs saw Kolkata hit just three boundaries and a six as they crawled to 31 for 3 before Pragyan Ojha compounded their woes further. Ojha deceived Akash Chopra (11) and Laxmi Ratan Shukla (8) with flighted deliveries to have them stumped leaving Kolkata reeling at 48 for five in the 13th over.
Australian Brad Hodge top-scored with 31 (4 boundaries) before Herschelle Gibbs pulled of a brilliant catch at backward point off Scott Styris. The Kiwi all-rounder then bagged his second wicket of the over when Rohit Sharma pulled off a low catch at cover to send back Moises Henriques for 6. Rohit then produced another piece of magic on the field when he produced a full length dive at cover and ran out Ajit Agarkar (7) with a direct hit at the non-strikers end.
Singh polished off the tail by claiming the wickets of Ishant Sharma (9) and Ashok Dinda (2) in the final over to bowl out Kolkata for 101 in 19.4 overs.
The left-arm pacer was the top performer for Deccan with the ball as he claimed four for 22 in 3.4 overs. Edwards was unlucky not to end up with a wicket as he bowled his four overs, giving away six runs, including two maidens. Ojha (2 for 14) and Styris (2 for 32) made vital contributions, while Harmeet also gave excellent support with one for 23 in four overs.
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